KristyLeeCook

We scoured the earth (and the archives at various record companies for failed projects that showed vocal promise) to create the greatest assemblage of singing talent American Idol has ever seen! So what happened? After last year's virtual snooze-fest, how did a season that truly did give us perhaps the greatest depth of talent we've ever seen (an argument could be made for Season Five) give us such lackluster shows?

After Sanjaya-gate last year, the biggest controversy to come out this year was that finalist David Hernandez used to be a stripper and David Archuleta's dad might be a Mr. Meany-Pants. And we got to be pissed that Kristy Lee Cook outlasted the likes of Michael Johns. Not until we got to the finale of Davids did things get really intense.

(S07E42) Forty-two episodes later we're finally ready to find out who is going to take home the crown of the next American Idol. Look at all those faces up there, and now it's all come down to the Davids. The lingering question is if they're going to be Idols the likes of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson; sales in the millions with mantles full of awards; or will they find mainstream success more of a challenge, like Taylor Hicks or Justin Guarini (I know he came in second but let's face it, at this point first and second are almost interchangeable as far as getting a shot at a career)? The show's an hour early and an hour longer, clocking in from 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Eastern Time. That means you have two hours to chat live right here with your friends and frenemies about which David should win and how stupid they are for disagreeing with you.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

Welcome back to "AI Aftermath," where we explore Idol's past. Each week, as one more American Idol hopeful is eliminated from the competition, we take a look back at contestants past who were eliminated in the same week. We'll examine how they did on the show and what they've been up to since their eliminations. In honor of Kristy Lee Cook's elimination last week we'll be looking at other seventh place finishers.

It's with mixed feelings that I cover the elimination of my second favorite Cook in the Top 12. Sure, she should have gone home weeks ago, and probably should have been sent packing from the stage seconds after she butchered "8 Days a Week" (we didn't need a vote to know that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr dug graves, dropped caskets down and climbed into them so they could roll around with John and George over that one).

And yet, she was getting better, wasn't she? In fact, she's probably the only contestant to have shown marked improvement throughout the season. Sure she still didn't have a shot in hell of actually making the Finals or winning, but I still found myself impressed and proud of her. In Kristy Lee Cook's exit interview, she said she was shocked to be sent packing, too. She thought she "at least had another week in" her.

Welcome back to our weekly American Idol polls round-up. Each week we look at various online polls that were conducted from the end of last week's results up to the performance show Tuesday. And then a few that were conducted after the performance show, but before the results were revealed.

This way we can analyze how the week's performances affected a contestant's overall popularity, which turns out to be not very much except in a few select cases. This week during the performance show, Simon indicated that the guys had won the night, and based on these polls it looks like American (at least the online portion of us) agrees with him. Is it really over for the girls? Can they see the writing on the walls? Will Brooke talk about it constantly droning on and on and on?

(S07E32) Well, I think the Mariah Carey performances went better than expected. We got slid vocal performances from all three guys and at least half the girls. I'd predict a three-female "Bottom Three," but last week showed us just how unpredictable this show can be. And Mariah Carey performs because what better way to whore her new album, E=MC2, than to do it on the largest stage in America. Join us, won't you, to chat, chat, chat live during tonight's episode, starting just before 9:00pm ET.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

Welcome back to our weekly American Idol polls round-up. Each week we look at various online polls that were conducted from the end of last week's results up to the performance show Tuesday. And then a few that were conducted after the performance show, but before the results were revealed.

This way we can analyze how the week's performances affected a contestant's overall popularity, and how well the internet can predict eliminations. We'll also see how each contestant fared week to week in each poll, moving up or down. And we can see how amazingly wrong some of these polls can be. After all, most of them continue to have Syesha at the bottom and the closest Michael Johns came to the bottom of any poll was fifth place out of eight.

(S07E30) This is a big week for American Idol. We have three episodes; the performance and results shows sandwiched around the two-and-a-half hour "Idol Gives Back" star-studded spectacular that aired last night. Finally we have the results show -- but will they pull the same thing as last year and nobody goes home? Join us, won't you, for another spectacular non-star-studded live chat during tonight's episode, starting just before 8:00pm ET.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

We all know that DialIdol has been predicting who gets voted off of American Idol for years by tracking busy signals on the phone lines for each contestant. Well, there's a new player in town. As reported on TMZ and elsewhere, TiVo has announced that for the past four weeks they've been analyzing their second-by-second viewer statistics to determine viewership for each contestant's performances. They can see which ones are getting viewed again and which ones are getting skipped altogether.

(S07E29) Well, this is what you've all been waiting for, right? What's that? Finale? Yeah, I guess that'll be cool, too. But if you've listened to Ryan all season then you know TONIGHT is really what it's all about! If you're looking to find out who got eliminated by vote last night you're going to have to wait until tomorrow. But if you're looking for two-and-a-half hours of entertainment chock full of celebrities and song and charity, then you're looking for "Idol Gives Back."

Last year's inaugural edition was very good, and Kristin's report of the Idol Gives Back taping from this past Sunday was also very positive. We don't have any pesky (non) eliminations to deal with like last year, so just kick back, donate and enjoy. And, if you want, join us online and chat about it in real-time with other giving Idol fans.

You can join the chat starting just before 7:30/6:30pm CDT by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

(S07E28) This is a big week for American Idol. We have three episodes; the performance and results shows sandwiched around the two-and-a-half hour "Idol Gives Back" star-studded spectacular airing tomorrow at 7:30 ET. But first, we have a theme of "Inspirational Songs" and eight Idol contenders to get through tonight. Join us, won't you, for another spectacular non-star-studded live chat during tonight's episode, starting just before 8:00pm ET.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

Welcome back to our weekly American Idol polls round-up. Each week we look at various online polls that were conducted from the end of last week's results up to the performance show Tuesday. And then a few that were conducted after the performance show, but before the results were revealed.

This way we can analyze how the week's performances affected a contestant's overall popularity, and how well the internet can predict eliminations. We'll also see how each contestant fared week to week in each poll, moving up or down. And we can see how amazingly wrong some of these polls can be. After all, none of them predicted little Ramiele going home, and most of them had Syesha at the bottom, who didn't even land in the bottom three.

What this means is that we need to spend less time voting online and more time dialing our phones. We have millions of thirteen-year old girls to compete with and I have carpal tunnel. I need your help!

(S07E27) Was Dolly's appearance as big as we all hoped? Are this year's mentors hit or miss? Did anyone do a great job last night? And most importanly, who's going home? Tonight's live chat of the American Idol results show will start shortly before 9pm ET. Check out the Ford commercial and see if Dolly's still got it herself as a performer (my guess is yes).. And see if America got it right ... or if Kristy Lee is still alive ... again.

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

(S07E26) The success of these live Idol chats just keeps growing and growing. So come on in and join the hottest American Idol party on the web this week during both the performance and results show. Tonight the festivities begin in time for the live 8pm ET performance show. This week's theme, mentor and guest performer tomorrow are all Dolly Parton. Dolly's written some great songs, but we've only got one hour tonight so expect wall-to-wall music. Come on in, the chatter's fine!

You can join the chat by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.

Welcome back to our weekly American Idol polls round-up. Each week we look at various online polls that were conducted from the end of last week's results up to the performance show Tuesday. And then a few that were conducted after the performance show, but before the results were revealed.

This way we can analyze how the week's performances affected a contestant's overall popularity, and how well the internet can predict eliminations. We'll also see how each contestant fared week to week in each poll, moving up or down. And we can see how the polls compare to one another. Is one source generally more on-track, are there any that seem to be way off, and how different are they from one another. Can any of them be trusted? Everybody loves polls, right?